Cessna 172 accident near Naubinway, Michigan, May 27, 2026
On May 27, 2026 at about 8:00 pm local time, a 1958 Cessna 172, registered N3984F, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Naubinway, Michigan (Hiawatha Sportsmans Club Airpo airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s improper engine power application during the landing flare, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing and nose over.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 27, 2026 · about 8:00 pm local time
- Place
- Naubinway, Michigan · Hiawatha Sportsmans Club Airpo · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172, built 1958 · all 172s on the register
- Registration
- N3984F · registry record · serial 36884
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was on the final approach to the runway and reduced engine power too early resulting in a hard, bounced landing during which the nose landing gear collapsed, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer, rudder, both wings, and both wing struts. The pilot stated to an FAA inspector that there were no mechanical issues with the airplane before the accident and that it was due to pilot error.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Nose over/nose down during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Landing gear collapse during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Hard landing during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
- Abnormal runway contact during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Landing flare › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 420 hours in all; 420 in this make and model; 1.5 in the last 90 days
- Last flight review: November 16, 2024
- Medical certificate: BasicMed (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,508 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 4, 2026
- Maximum gross weight: 2,100 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-300A (piston); 2,958 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SLH Cheboygan MI at 7:30 pm
- Destination: MI69 Naubinway MI
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 26, 2,400 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 350° at 12 knots, gusting 16
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 43°F (6°C)
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observation at 3:35 pm from KERY, 11 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KERY 271935Z AUTO 35012G16KT 10SM CLR 23/06 A3005 RMK AO2
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.